About Ethnic Rhinoplasty
Ethnic rhinoplasty typically refers to cosmetic nasal surgery performed on a person that is not white. For example on a Hispanic, middle eastern, African American, or some other race. I think the name “ethnic rhinoplasty” is outdated, since in today’s world, basically all cultures and races are mixed. So really, what is the difference between a rhinoplasty performed on a white person instead than on an “ethnic”, for example? Well, the deference is varies depending on the race. Every race has different features.
Lets take for example a Hispanic person from South America that comes from somewhere near the Andes Mountains. People that are native of this part of the world typically have large dorsal humps and weak nasal tips. The challenge in these noses is obtaining a result that keeps some of their ethnicity (read..keep them looking similar without having them look like a Caucasian). Surgery in these patients usually requires removing the hump and obtaining strong support for the nasal tip.
African Americans are another population that frequently undergoes rhinoplasty. Again, the art here is to have a natural nose that is in line with their ethnicity. The patients tend to have wide nasal bones, wide and weak nasal tips and ala and may have a low dorsum (bridge). In addition, many have fairly thick skin, which limits the amount of tip definition that can be achieved. Surgery in these patients usually involves narrowing the nasal bones, projecting and defining the nasal tip. Occasionally, the nostrils are narrowed. When I narrow the nostrils, I always do it by making small incisions inside the nostrils. I never cut outside the nostrils, as the three-dimensional architecture of this area can never be recreated again. I think it’s better to have a nose that’s a little wide and appears natural instead of having a narrow nose that looks operated.
In conclusion, I think that ethnic rhinoplasty is an aged term that no longer applies. Today’s population is very heterogeneous, or mixed. Therefore almost every rhinoplasty has an “ethnic” component, if you will. The endpoint is to obtain a result that is natural and complements the person’s face.